Streams of Water
Opening Prayer
Ask God to reveal to you today any ways in which you might be inclined to diminish what he can do.
Read John 7:25-44
[25] At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? [26] Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? [27] But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” [28] Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, [29] but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” [30] At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. [31] Still, many in the crowd believed in him. They said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?” [32] The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. [33] Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me. [34] You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” [35] The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? [36] What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?” [37] On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. [40] On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” [41] Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? [42] Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” [43] Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. [44] Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What did Jesus mean by "streams of living water"?The question of where on earth Jesus is from raises its head again. Of course, as far as John is concerned, the irony is that Jesus is from heaven and has come to share the life of ordinary humanity (see 1:1-14) until he returns to his Father in heaven. And while he is on earth, he participates in all the life, joys and sorrows of his people, Israel. He embraces it all. One of the things which established an annual pattern to Jewish life was the celebration of three great festivals—Passover, Tabernacles and Pentecost. These celebrated different elements of those experiences and commitments which had forged Israel’s identity. Tabernacles was also called the Feast of Booths and recalled Israel erecting temporary tents in the wilderness. It also included a ritual of water pouring. Like Passover (John 6), Tabernacles is a sign which points to Jesus. He lived temporarily among us (1:14) and the dramatic pouring of water down the Temple steps at the end of the feast is used by Jesus (37-39) to illustrate the way that he, the new temple (2:18-22), will become a source of spiritual refreshment to all who come to him.
Apply
Ask the Lord to help you identify any areas in which you may need spiritual refreshment from Jesus today.
Closing prayer
Pray that Jesus will pour out his Spirit so that he may be a fountain of life for you and others.
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